Luma apiculata (Chilean Myrtle)
Michael's Opinion
A tree planted for its stunning cinnamon-coloured bark, but can be only grown by those in the most moderate of temperate climates, such as my home county, Cornwall, England.
Botanical Information
Family | Myrtaceae |
Genus | Luma |
Species | apiculata |
Synonyms | Myrtus apiculata |
Category | Tropicals, Woody |
Type | Tree (evergreen) |
Origin | Introduced into cultivation through Veitch's Nursery near Exeter, Devon, England who enlisted the plant collector William Lobb (1809-1864) on one of his expeditions to Chile. Native to Chile, (Coquimbo, and Valdivia). |
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Edible fruit. |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 8b - 9a |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 8a |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -9 - (-4) |
Temperature (°F) | 15 - 25 |
Height | 15 m |
Growth | Slow |
Flowering Period | July, August |
Description and Growing Information
Landscape | Smooth, cinnamon-coloured bark and an open airy crown topped by small evergreen leaves. |
Propagation | By semi-hardwood cuttings. |
Cultivation | Although tolerant of full sun it prefers a protected location out of the wind with some moisture and shade. Trees that grow in partial shade tend to have a richer coloured bark than those in full sun. Plant in groups for the full effect of the rich coloured bark. |
Pests | Usually problem free. |
Bark/Stem Description | Smooth, cinnamon-coloured bark, peeling in patches to reveal a white subsurface. |
Flower Description | Flowers profusely. |
Fruit Description | Small, edible black-coloured fruit. |
Texture Description | A fine textured tree. |
Photographs
![Luma apiculata. form. Luma apiculata. form.](photos/Luma-apiculata-form.jpg)
Luma apiculata. form.
![Luma apiculata. leaf. Luma apiculata. leaf.](photos/Luma-apiculata-leaf.jpg)
Luma apiculata. leaf.
![Luma apiculata. flower. Luma apiculata. flower.](photos/Luma-apiculata-flower.jpg)
Luma apiculata. flower.
![](photos/Luma-apiculata-bark.jpg)
![Luma apiculata. form. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Luma apiculata. form. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.](photos/Luma-apiculata-gg-frm.jpg)
Luma apiculata. form. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
![Luma apiculata. leaf. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Luma apiculata. leaf. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.](photos/Luma-apiculata-gg-lf.jpg)
Luma apiculata. leaf. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
![Luma apiculata. bark. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Luma apiculata. bark. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.](photos/Luma-apiculata-gg-brk.jpg)
Luma apiculata. bark. Glendurgan Gardens, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Awards
![](images/RHS_logo.jpg)